'''Uglúk''' was an [[Uruks|Uruk]] in the service of [[Saruman]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

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'''Uglúk''' was an [[Uruks|Uruk]] in the service of [[Saruman]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. He captured [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] and attempted to bring them to [[Isengard]].

==History==

==History==

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Uglúk was stationed at [[Isengard]] on January 18th, [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], when messengers from [[Moria]] reported to [[Saruman]] that the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] had passed through Moria and were heading south. Saruman then sent a group of scouts under the control of Uglúk to bring back the [[Hobbits]]. Uglúk was not told of [[the One Ring]] but he was aware that the Hobbits had a weapon that was wanted for the war.

On [[26 February]] {{TA|3019}} Uglúk was the leader of the [[Orcs|Orc-company]] that attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] on the slopes of [[Amon Hen]] and carried off Merry and Pippin.<ref name="TA">{{App|Great}}</ref>

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On the fourth day, January 22nd, Uglúk's group reached Moria and they gathered together a force of mountain Orcs. On January 24th they captured [[Gollum]] who later escaped. Uglúk sent word to Isengard and Saruman sent him reinforcements. Uglúk's army began to grow as they now had over 80 Uruk-hai and over 100 Orcs from the [[Misty Mountains]]. Saruman ordered Uglúk to "Kill all but NOT the Halfings; they are to be brought back ALIVE as quickly as possible ... Alive and as captured; no spoiling.". (''[[The Two Towers]]'')

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Uglúk and his fellow Isengarders were servants of the [[Istari|wizard]] [[Saruman]], whom he called the Wise and respected him for his giving of man’s-flesh to eat. However, not all of his company were from Isengard – the group contained a contingent of Orcs from [[Mordor]] led by [[Grishnákh]] and a party of Northerners from [[Moria]]. Uglúk's orders had been to kill all of the Fellowship except the Halflings, who were to be brought back to Isengard and Saruman alive, as captured and unspoiled, as quickly as possible. Grishnákh's orders were the same, except that his destination was to be [[Lugbúrz]] (Barad-dûr) and [[Sauron]]. The Northerners had no orders; they had come from the Mines for vengeance and killing, followed by a quick return to the north. Not long after the capture of the hobbits these conflicting aims led to a brief fight in which some of the Mordor-orcs and Moria-orcs were slain. Uglúk won and was able to impose his will; his Orc-company headed west while Grishnákh's group withdrew.<ref name="Uruk">{{TT|III3}}</ref>

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On February 6th, Uglúk and his company searched northern [[Rohan]] for the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]]. On the 10th Uglúk met an Orc from [[Mordor]] named [[Grishnákh]] to the north of [[Sarn Gebir]]. Grishnákh's troops guarded the eastern side of the River [[Anduin]] while Uglúk's troops watched the western side. However Uglúk was soon ambushed by [[Rohirrim]] and forced to retreat to [[Emyn Muil]].

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On the evening of [[26 February]]<ref name="TA"/> Uglúk learned that a single horseman of [[Rohan]] had been spotted but had not been stopped. Realizing that pursuit by the [[Rohirrim]] would swiftly follow he applied medicine on Merry's wound and forced drinks down both hobbits' throats. He then cut their leg bonds so that they could run with the company. When the Northerners objected to his plan to keep on running by daylight Uglúk promised that they would run with him behind them, and he ran at the rear to keep an eye on all of his company.<ref name="Uruk"/>

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The two met up again on February 25th in west Emyn Muil. The next day they found [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]] in the woods on the slopes of [[Amon Hen]]. [[Boromir]] came to their defense but was slain and the Orcs took the Hobbits captive. Grishnákh wanted to take the halflings to Mordor, but Uglúk refused as his orders were to bring them to Isengard. When two others began arguing, Uglúk cut off their heads which prompted Grishnákh to back down and leave the group.

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Despite the fast pace set by Uglúk on [[28 February]]<ref name="TA"/> an [[Éored]] of mounted [[Men]] began to overtake the Orcs. Near the [[Entwash]] most of the Northerners broke away and dashed off towards the [[Misty Mountains]]. At the same time Grishnákh returned with a couple of score of fellow Mordor-orcs. Due to the threat from the riders the two Orc-companies combined and headed for the forest. As they sped along they caught up with the Northerners who perforce rejoined Uglúk's command.

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As they marched back to Isengard, a scout named [[Snaga]] spotted a Rider of Rohan in the distance. Uglúk became enraged that the horseman had been allowed to escape and raise the alarm. He gave Merry and Pippin an Orc-draught and forced them to run at a faster pace.

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Despite all the speed they could muster the Orcs, now numbering two hundred, were surrounded just three furlongs from the eaves of the forest. The hemmed-in Orcs began to grumble against Uglúk until he assured them that reinforcements led by an Orc named [[Mauhúr]] were close at hand. As the night wore on the Riders made a sortie against the Orcs. Uglúk led his Isengarders to stem the attack, which gave Grishnákh the opportunity to attempt to steal away with the two hobbits.<ref name="Uruk"/>

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The Orcs from the Misty Mountains feared the Rohirrim and they attempted to flee to [[Fangorn Forest]] but the Uruk-hai overtook them. Grishnákh and a band of Mordor Orcs rejoined Uglúk and told him that he intended to ensure the orders were carried out with regards to the prisoners.

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Grishnákh was killed and the hobbits escaped just as Mauhúr tried but failed to break the encirclement. Merry and Pippin fled into the woods as the Éored attacked at dawn on [[29 February]].<ref name="TA"/> In the ensuing battle Uglúk almost broke through the Riders with a wedge of soldiers, but he was brought to bay at the very edge of the woods and slain by [[Éomer]] in a hand-to-hand sword fight.<ref name="Uruk"/>

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On the evening of February 28th, the Rohirrim surrounded Uglúk's company on a hill near Fangorn Forest. Uglúk ordered not to attack as he anticipated reinforcements led by [[Mauhur]] to be coming. He ordered for Merry and Pippin to be guarded and not killed unless the Riders broke through the defenses.

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Uglúk died not knowing that the two hobbits he had captured did not have [[the One Ring]]. As [[Gandalf]] later noted, Uglúk's efforts would unwittingly lead to the downfall of Saruman.<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>

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Grishnákh disobeyed Uglúk's orders and took the Hobbits away to search for the One Ring but he was slain by a Rider. Merry and Pippin then escaped.

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Mauhur's reinforcements arrived but they were defeated by the Rohirrim. At dawn on February 29th, the Rohirrim attacked Ugluk's company. Uglúk managed to hold together a band of his followers and tried to escape into Fangorn, but they were eventually overtaken and killed. Uglúk fought Éomer, the leader of the Rohirrim, sword to sword but he was defeated and Éomer slew him.

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==Appearance==

==Appearance==

Uglúk, being a Uruk, was larger and stronger than the other Orcs and he was not bothered by sunlight. Uglúk bore the symbol of the [[White Hand]] of [[Saruman]].

Uglúk, being a Uruk, was larger and stronger than the other Orcs and he was not bothered by sunlight. Uglúk bore the symbol of the [[White Hand]] of [[Saruman]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''

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:Uglúk was played by [[Brian Haines]].

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'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''

:Uglúk was portrayed by [[Nathaniel Lees]].

:Uglúk was portrayed by [[Nathaniel Lees]].

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==References==

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'''2012: ''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]'':'''

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* ''[[The Two Towers]], "[[The Uruk-hai]]"

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:Uglúk is a warrior-type "guardian" with four abilities: ''Charge of the Uruk-hai'', ''White Hand's Whip'', ''Fury of Isengard'' and ''Orcish Medicine''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.co.uk/guardians/ugluk|articlename=''Guardians of Middle-earth'': Uglúk|dated=|website=[http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.com/ ''Guardians of Middle-earth'' official website]|accessed=16 July 2012}}</ref>

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* ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', "The Departure of Boromir,", "The Uruk-hai,"

History

Uglúk and his fellow Isengarders were servants of the wizardSaruman, whom he called the Wise and respected him for his giving of man’s-flesh to eat. However, not all of his company were from Isengard – the group contained a contingent of Orcs from Mordor led by Grishnákh and a party of Northerners from Moria. Uglúk's orders had been to kill all of the Fellowship except the Halflings, who were to be brought back to Isengard and Saruman alive, as captured and unspoiled, as quickly as possible. Grishnákh's orders were the same, except that his destination was to be Lugbúrz (Barad-dûr) and Sauron. The Northerners had no orders; they had come from the Mines for vengeance and killing, followed by a quick return to the north. Not long after the capture of the hobbits these conflicting aims led to a brief fight in which some of the Mordor-orcs and Moria-orcs were slain. Uglúk won and was able to impose his will; his Orc-company headed west while Grishnákh's group withdrew.[2]

On the evening of 26 February[1] Uglúk learned that a single horseman of Rohan had been spotted but had not been stopped. Realizing that pursuit by the Rohirrim would swiftly follow he applied medicine on Merry's wound and forced drinks down both hobbits' throats. He then cut their leg bonds so that they could run with the company. When the Northerners objected to his plan to keep on running by daylight Uglúk promised that they would run with him behind them, and he ran at the rear to keep an eye on all of his company.[2]

Despite the fast pace set by Uglúk on 28 February[1] an Éored of mounted Men began to overtake the Orcs. Near the Entwash most of the Northerners broke away and dashed off towards the Misty Mountains. At the same time Grishnákh returned with a couple of score of fellow Mordor-orcs. Due to the threat from the riders the two Orc-companies combined and headed for the forest. As they sped along they caught up with the Northerners who perforce rejoined Uglúk's command.

Despite all the speed they could muster the Orcs, now numbering two hundred, were surrounded just three furlongs from the eaves of the forest. The hemmed-in Orcs began to grumble against Uglúk until he assured them that reinforcements led by an Orc named Mauhúr were close at hand. As the night wore on the Riders made a sortie against the Orcs. Uglúk led his Isengarders to stem the attack, which gave Grishnákh the opportunity to attempt to steal away with the two hobbits.[2]

Grishnákh was killed and the hobbits escaped just as Mauhúr tried but failed to break the encirclement. Merry and Pippin fled into the woods as the Éored attacked at dawn on 29 February.[1] In the ensuing battle Uglúk almost broke through the Riders with a wedge of soldiers, but he was brought to bay at the very edge of the woods and slain by Éomer in a hand-to-hand sword fight.[2]

Uglúk died not knowing that the two hobbits he had captured did not have the One Ring. As Gandalf later noted, Uglúk's efforts would unwittingly lead to the downfall of Saruman.[3]

Appearance

Uglúk, being a Uruk, was larger and stronger than the other Orcs and he was not bothered by sunlight. Uglúk bore the symbol of the White Hand of Saruman.